Signs of walking in the flesh or walking in the Spirit

Ask myself am I like this today---

Am I lusting after, unhappy without, or incomplete without: A person, procession, object, amenity, and or attention?

If yes, I do not have LOVE!

Am I seeking a rush of emotions, seeking an experience more than calm delight?

If yes, I do not have JOY!

Am I filled with worry and fear? Does my mind go back to things that I should leave to God to figure out? Our do I struggle and worry about the future that I cannot change?

If yes, I do not have PEACE!

Am I quickly angered, frustrated by waiting, filled with impatience about my ministry, family, life, or future?

If yes, I do not have LONGSUFFERING!

Am I feeling unkind? Do I feel that it is a burden to be friendly, good and kind. Do I feel that I have the right to be mean and unfeeling?

If yes, I do not have GENTLENESS!

Am I filled with doubt and am I wondering if what God says is true? Do I know the truths of God’s Word and struggle to claim them, or say that they do not apply to my situation? Do I feel that I have to understand, figure out, or control the circumstances of my life, because no one else will?

If yes, I do not have FAITH!

Are my actions, thoughts, words, focused on myself? I am confident because of what I can do or have done, or am I fearful or inactive because of what I cannot do?

If yes, I do not have MEEKNESS!

Am I self-controlled (Spirit-controlled)? Do I seem to have no ability to control lust, appetites, habits, or actions? Do I live by my feeling or wants, and seem to be controlled by them even when I would like to do the right things?

If yes, I do not have TEMPERANCE!

IF I HAVE TO SAY YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT FILLING ME ON A REGULAR BASIS, FOR HE PRODUCES THESE FRUITS IN ME!

A Spiritual Flat Tire

Ephesians 5:18 "...but be filled with the Spirit"

I have been learning the importance lately of the need to be Spirit filled. In the past I would have said that I wanted to be Spirit filled. I knew that I needed Him when I was going to do some task like preaching or witnessing. I knew that I needed Him for victory over besetting sins. But the thing that I could not figure out was why at times when I needed the filling most, the times when the pressure was on, I seemed to be flat.

I have been learning that my life is like a tire. It is one whole piece. I cannot divide my life into parts, and say that one part has nothing to do with another. If you have a hole anywhere in a tire, the air will leak out and the part with the pressure on it will always go flat.

God has been showing me the importance of my walk with Him. If I want to be filled when the pressure is on, then I have to be filled and free of holes when the pressure is off. That means I don't get time off.

At times I want to think, "What does it matter what I do with my free time? If I want to watch a movie or read a book, so what! It is my time! Hey, I have extra money in the bank I can spend it on whatever I want, so long as it is not sinful."

I could think that way because at that time I was not feeling any pressure (did not think it was so important be filled with the Spirit). I just would make a decision based on my desires or thinking and not seek the Lord. But, the Lord has shown me there is a problem with that. If I am not living filled all the time, because I allow the Spirit to depart through a slow leak of my own thinking and wants, when the real pressure comes, I will be flat. And all drivers know how hard it is to drive on a flat tire.

So I am learning what Hudson Taylor said is true: "The faith that is ready for emergencies is the the faith that is strengthened by a daily dependence on God."

The only way not to be spiritually flat is to follow this verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.